Discipline: Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences
Subcategory: Social Sciences/Psychology/Economics
Session: 4
Room: Park Tower 8228
Diana F. Vélez Cartaya - University of Puerto Rico- Mayagüez Campus
Co-Author(s): Ricardo Rondán, University of Puerto Rico- Mayagüez Campus, Mayagüez, PR; Dereck Hernández, University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez Campus, Mayagüez, PR; Priscilla Pedrosa, University of Puerto Rico- Mayagüez Campus, Mayagüez, PR; José Encarnación, University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez Campus, Mayagüez, PR; Dr. Maria Amador-Dumois, University of Puerto Rico- Mayagüez Campus, Mayagüez, PR
In order to adequately evaluate and select the best options for coverage of medical expenses, it’s important to first identify which are the available alternatives for treating the ailments in question, and then, identify which is most suitable for the patient to undertake, given their condition. Cell Manufacturing Therapies is an emerging industry, that provides a new approach for dealing with certain types of cancers and other degenerative diseases. However because of the significantly high costs related to these treatments, most HealthCare providers still offer little to no coverage for them. Recognizing the importance of making treatments like these more accessible for patients who have degenerative illnesses, our team is researching areas related to HealthCare insurance for CAR T-cell therapies Yescarta & Kymriah, which offer a promising alternative for treating certain types of cancers in both children and adults. Our methodology consists of exploratory based research by means of interviews with oncologists, health insurance providers, CAR T-cell treatment centers/clinics, and through the study of relevant articles about Kymriah & Yescarta’s introduction and development in the Cancer Treatment market. By investigating these areas, we seek to better understand how health insurance companies provide some coverage for Cell Manufacturing related therapies, in order to identify which segments of the CAR T-cell therapies global value chain can be improved for more financial accessibility. Our next steps involve the expansion of our literature base and the procuration of information through primary sources regarding health insurance coverage for cell-based therapies.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): The National Science Foundation under Grant No. EEC-1648035.
Faculty Advisor: Dr. María Amador-Dumois, mariaa.amador@upr.edu
Role: My contribution to the research project was to gather information of the topic of health insurance coverage for cell-based therapies through an extensive literature review. Upon approval fo the IRB, I will also be conducting field interviews.